Tactics for/against Shoulder Roll

[BuakawBanchamek]

You all know these guys who try to immitate Floyd Mayweather by using the shoulder roll, some fail at that and some are actually quite good at using it.

Which leads to my two questions:

When do you recommend to use the shoulder roll?

What tactics should be used when your opponent does it?


The only thing I could come up with right now about what to do against it,
is to feint a jab and go to the body with a right/jab. Cause I see a lot of guys trying to bait a lazy jab and then counter with the right hand.

[{Pito}]

What works for some doesn't work for others, if you want to learn what works for you against a specific style then spar that style as much as possible....boxing is not black and white there is no real blueprint for what moves can work against what, only who can out think who......go spar against that style that's the only true answer

[BG_Knocc_Out]

Simply put, angles. As is the case for most, but most do not implement them anyway. It's just especially true in their case.

Conventional wisdom says to obtain the flank (your right, their left), again, as is the case with non shoulder roll too. But, it works especially well for the placement of your left hook due to their lead being dropped. Also makes them have to catch up and adjust to you.

Meanwhile, play with their balance, let your punches stick, control their head, give nudges, be physical. "Shoulder roll" fighters tend to be rhythm fighters; anything to take away their tempo will also take away their timing. Without timing the shoulder is useless.

Work on stepping in to your right while pumping the jab, it's a perishable skill, and one even experienced fighters do not have. It'll keep them busy while being able to stay out of their line of fire but still gives you a perfect firing lane to bypass the shoulder.

Another trick is to probe with the jab. You have to kind of know how to already do this, but it forces them to lead; something they likely don't want to do. The key is to not lean in or bring yourself closer when you do this. That is a common mistake. Think Andre Ward. Theoretically, it's the same concept as the shoulder roll. Defending against the same shots, as well as forcing the other guy to lead.

[AddiX]

No one can do it the way Floyd can, if someone is trying to just go right at them and watch how easily you land right hands.

Everyone wants to be Floyd, but they ain't.

[Combat Talk Radio]

You all know these guys who try to immitate Floyd Mayweather by using the shoulder roll, some fail at that and some are actually quite good at using it.

Which leads to my two questions:

When do you recommend to use the shoulder roll?

What tactics should be used when your opponent does it?


The only thing I could come up with right now about what to do against it,
is to feint a jab and go to the body with a right/jab. Cause I see a lot of guys trying to bait a lazy jab and then counter with the right hand.

Easy answer: just watch Berto/Guerrero. You will have all the answers.

[- Ram Raid -]

Assuming they can do it well you're not fighting a conventional fighter so forget convention.

Generally there are two miskates that are made and they are linked. Against a more orthodox fighter you jab/feint yourself into range. You're now in position to land more damaging shots, all the better if your opponent is pressed to the ropes.

That isn't the case with someone that utilises the shoulder roll technique. You've closed the distance so conventionally you'd abandon the feint and jab because they've already served their purpose and you'd now be looking to unload solid well placed shots because at that range it's difficult for your opponent to bob and weave, parry and slip punches.

But remember this tricky little ****er isn't looking to do any of those things. He's going to pivot on his central vertical line so to speak. He doesn't need space to do that. Nor will he get flustered at being backed to the ropes and having the distance closed on him because he can still do his thing. If you're anything like the majority of fighters he's been in with you're the one that is about to get flustered. You'll be over eager to land big shots because he's on the ropes which will create tension both mental and physical particulary when you can't land. The reason why you're not landing is because you've abandoned the feint. He can see near every shot coming, even more so because you're loading up 'cause you have got him on the ropes after all.

Then he starts to grin. You press the issue in a conventional manner only this time more forcefully and the cycle repeats itself until you become so frustrated that you start to doubt your ability to win.

There's already been some great advice posted in this thread but those are the two little things that I would add. Use the feint to get in range but then continue to use it to open him up and disguise your shots. And stay relaxed, don't expect to land because you're in range where you'd unload on a fighter using a conventional defense. Touch him with shots.

[Ray Corso]

I would pressure their right hand defense and step out to my left to come in to their right hand. Reason being their left hand is folded across their wasit/chest and not in position to punch.
I first try this approach because the counter to your move is always their right hand so I'm looking to pressure there!
Also when their right hand is effective their looking to step out to their right and counter again off that pivot. I prefer to make them move to their left using their left foot to escape opening their defense up a little more!
I haven't seen anyone pressure Mayweather correctly, they all fall into his right hand counter. The only one who had any kind of an answer was Madiana who used that chopping overhand right that drove Mayweather crazy and hurt him.
Trying the left hook can work if it's brought into the body hitting the folded left hand then doubling it up but most fighters today simply aren't taught that.

Point being I'm taking his right hand counter away!!!

Ray

[Rockin']

Against orthodox fighters.

Straight right to the head, let them roll it as you're ducking under, stepping to your right and letting the hooks go. You'll be one step ahead of them.